Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-01-24
oH1EE HENDR1cK's REPORT.


what the New Haven Fire Depart
ment Did During 1SS6-InterestinE
Recommendations = SuperIntendent
Smith Wants the wires Under
ground.
Chief Hendricks annual report will soon
be presented to the board of fire commits
sioners. The needs of the fire department
are carefully reviewed, and comments made
on the absence of incendiaries from this town
during the past twelve months. Superin-
tendent Smith in his report fayors an under
ground system for the safety of the fire
alarm telegraph, especially in the center of
the city.
The permanent force who devote their
whole time to the interests of the city
consists of 100 officers and men, There has
been no death on the force during the past
year Only four accidents of any Importance
have occurred during the year. There are
now seven steam fire engines, six hose ten
ders, two hose wagons, two hook and ladder
trucks doing regular service on the force,
and held III reserve are one steam engine and
two hose tenders. One thousand feet
of hose, rubber lined, has been purchased
A commodious two story wood building
for storage has been constructed by the en-
ployes of the department at the supply house
yard in Water street A one story brick adj
dition has been erected on the south side OF
| No steamer house, thus affording more
ample quarters for the men. Bathrooms
| have been introduced at No. Z and No. s sta
| tons. Necessary repairs have been done al
| the several houses where needed by the me-
chanics of the permanent force, thereby
| saving large amount to the city. Chief
| Hendrick recommends the erection of sheds
| at the yards Of steamers 1 and s.
| There are thirty horses in the service,
| nearly all in frst-class condition. During
| the year six horses have been purchased and
! five turned in by exchange. During the
year there were one hundred a forty-three
| fires and alarms of which number fifty sew
en- were communicated by the fire alarm tel
| esraph, eighty six were still alarms. There
were nine more fires than in 1886 There
has been a reduction of incendiars fires from
ffty-three in 1876, to four in 1886. The fol-
lowing deaths have occurred in the year from
accidental burnings:
Anna Murphy, aged fifteen years, clothes taking
Margaret Routh, twenty eight, from burns
Nettie Melius, twelve. burned by lightning
Mary F. Lane, forty two. from napt ina in stove:
Rudolph Lange, twenty three Kerosene expio-
sion.
stiles B. Beach, fffty-four from explosion.
Katie Taylor, twenty zone, from explosion OF ful-
inmate primers.
Chief Hendrirk says he sincerely hopes
that the New Haven Water company will,
during the ensuing year, commence the re-
laying of large mains and continue the same
for years until there will be no cause for
complaining Of short supply of water for fire
purposes in any section of the city. Nine
hydrants have been located during the past
year. making the total number six hundred
and forty nine. In Superintendent Smith S
report the matter of having the fire alarm
wires placed underground is advocated. He
says:
Owing to the largely increased number of wires
that have been put up ia the central portion of our
city system is in serious danger of being dis
abled. especially during storms. This trouble is
continually increasing. but has been thus far par
tally met by using insulated wire sy stem in
the center of the city. 1t would be impossible to
estimate the damage to property that might oc ur
should wires be carried dow during storm
and come in contact with the network of electric
light wires strung through our main streets. 1t is
evident to that it VIII be imperative necesSl-
y in the future for this city to place its fire
alarm wires underground at least in the center Of
the city, and 1 would suggest that your honorable
body give this subject due consideration.
The total loss on buildings during the past
year was Si5, POS, and on personal property
1929 939